Stephen need a new car

[smokinfire]

I need to start looking for a replacement to my car, it was recently written off by a minivan.

These are the guidelines:

I want a fast car, I am thinking between 200 and 300HP

I want a car that handles well out of the box.

I like driving cars that handle like small cars, I know there are cars out there that handle very well, but you kind of have to throw them into corners, I prefer carving corners.

I'm done with major modifications, I don't mind minor tweeks (brake rotors/pads, bushings, intakes/filters, chips...), but I wont swap out suspensions or bolt on a supercharger again. The problems with insurance and police have killed it for me.

I don't want to spend more than 40,000 really.

Right now the short list that I have come up with is:
Saturn Sky Redline/Pondiac Solstice GTP
Porsche 944 Turbo
Nissan 300ZX - I need opinions on handling
Mazdaspeed 3 - I'm not sure on the handling
Neon SRT4 - I just don't know if I could hold back modifying this one.

I am looking for opinions on all these cars, and also any others that you can think of.

[DareBee]

Porsche 944 S2
205 horse
race suspension including coilovers from the factory.

[thgear]

S2000

Solstice

Miata MX5 (the new one)

used Elise

RX7 FD (3rd gen)

[R.P.M.]

Buy a used RX-8 and swap out the Renesis motor for a single turbo Cosmo RE 13B. Wicked handling car and the RE can easily produce 300+ HP very realiably.

I know you mentioned you dont want to do major modifiactions....but I figured I'd mention it anyways :)

[P90Puma]

STi ? Used elise's are stil too expensive or else I would suggest one of those.

NSX?
Supra?
C5 Z06?

[timewarp9]

I was considering dealing the lease on my 2004 Audi S4 v8 to get a truck.

This is a great car, 345 hp 6 spd AWD, all the brakes you want, needs nothing to upgrade except maybe exhaust if you want a different sound.

Two sets of rims with mounted tires. Faster, better handling and braking and more luxurious than any car mentioned on your list.

I have had if for almost a year of a three year lease, excellent warranty, better than most new car warranties.

Grey with two tone Recaro interior. It should fit into your budget.

pm me if interested.

[sjd]

Mazdaspeed 3 - I'm not sure on the handling


Motor Trend recently lapped Laguna Seca in an MS3 faster than they did in an S2000. The handling is pretty good.

[thgear]

Motor Trend recently lapped Laguna Seca in an MS3 faster than they did in an S2000. The handling is pretty good.

the hill climb killed the s2000 :rolleyes:

[MightyMouse]

MS3. Best bang for the buck by a long shot. I really enjoy the handling of my regular 3, OK, well, it is not quite regular anymore, but is tuned to about the same as the MS3. Add the factory intake and cat back (which will retain the full factory waranty) and you are right around 300 HP.

I still have not been able to convice my wife we really really need one. :rolleyes:

[AFB Race]

:) your not trying hard enough Chris, & when we gonna see your little weapon hit the track?:)

[smokinfire]

Thanks for the suggestions,

I like the idea of the RX-7

I'm moving the 300ZX down the list because of gagetry/electronic gremlin problems

I'll have to test drive the Mazdaspeed 3 before I am convinced on the handling

I'm favoring the 944 turbo over the 944 S2 because of easily obtained power potetial, but I think I like the torque of the S2

[miataboi]

does this need to be a daily driver and a winter car as well?

If not...

NSX is an AWESOME handler... reliable too
C5's are a LOT of car for the $$$ - very fast.
new Civic Si is a more liveable, but tamer version of the MS3


My tempting choice... '07 turbo Mini Cooper S!

[glh]

I have a 2005 SRT4 for sale 9000 miles on it motor stock
suspension is acr with mopar lowering springs amd full polly bushing kit
black no sunroof other mods borla exhaust and a hurst shifter
$18500 cert and e-tested car could be put back to stock but it just handles way too good this way

reason for selling I need the cash to keep racing my other SRT4

car is in Ajax you can call my cell 416 6883588

[John Powell]

Buy a used RX-8 and swap out the Renesis motor for a single turbo Cosmo RE 13B. Wicked handling car and the RE can easily produce 300+ HP very realiably.

I know you mentioned you dont want to do major modifiactions....but I figured I'd mention it anyways :)

Stephen, I'd check with these guys if you're thinking about an FD RX7. It's a beautiful car and handles well, and the engine and driveline are really reliable with proper care and service by someone who knows rotaries. The downside, from what I've heard, is that there can be problems with the engine ancillaries and electrics. Maybe the guys at RPM can give you more details on this. Probably the best RX7 was the '85 FB (1st gen GSL-SE with an EFI 13B instead of the base carb 12A engine), as they are light, nimble and quick, with the '83 to '85 FB 12A as a second choice. The problem here is to find one for sale that's in really good condition as most FB owners with good cars tend to be unwilling to part with them. :) As for FCs (2nd. gen.), they're OK, and pretty quick with the turbo, but they suffer from the same problems as the Nissan 240Z as it went up-market and got bigger and heavier.

[Octane Motorspo]

I'm biased. But I think what I see here is you need a JCW Cooper S....

See why below.

Alain L.

IThese are the guidelines:

I want a fast car, I am thinking between 200 and 300HP. JCW = 200-210HP

I want a car that handles well out of the box.-> Won't find better.

I like driving cars that handle like small cars, I know there are cars out there that handle very well, but you kind of have to throw them into corners, I prefer carving corners.=> It has to handle like a small car because it is! OK, I'll let the cat out of the bag. It's BIG inside. Just don't tell anyone.... Most people don't realise the wheelbase is longer than a Porsche Boxster....

I'm done with major modifications, I don't mind minor tweeks (brake rotors/pads, bushings, intakes/filters, chips...), but I wont swap out suspensions or bolt on a supercharger again. The problems with insurance and police have killed it for me. => Factory tuned. No hassle.

I don't want to spend more than 40,000 really. =>You should be able to find one for your budget!



I am looking for opinions on all these cars, and also any others that you can think of. => I've done my part...

[R.P.M.]

I'm going to be right honest with you....unless your going to do an FD RX-7 right, and by doing an FD right I mean full standalone, remove all the emissions, and go single turbo.....then dont go with an FD.

1)The stock twin turbos are garbage, the get overheated and blow out the oil control rings and start to consume oil.
2)Vacume lines are a nightmare!!! Rotaries run hot and like to make vacume lines turn from rubber to a very brittle plastic like material that cracks at the slightest touch.


If the RX-8 had about 100 more HP, I'd say you couldn't beat it.

[GTRacer]

What about importing a 1992 R32 Skyline GTR?

[MightyMouse]

:) your not trying hard enough Chris, & when we gonna see your little weapon hit the track?:)

I am getting way to many obscure, hard to find stuff for the engine. The throttle bodies are on a slow boat from Japan and custom exhaust manifolds take forever and a day to have made apparently, and the shocks are still in Cali. Looks like it wont be out till the next Mosport race. :(

And to keep this on topic, glad to hear you are going to try the MS3. Although, you are going to have a REALLY hard time finding one to test drive. For one, they are usually all sold before they reach the dealer, and even if they did have one unsold, I doubt they would let anybody test drive it. Dealerships will only let you test drive "Demo" models, not ones destined to be sold as new, and I doubt any dealer would sacrifice one to the demo fleet.

[DareBee]

I think MBoy hinted on it earlier. You can buy a lot of Corvette for $40
I have seen C5s as low as $25

[13inches]

With the CDN dollar as strong as it is, you can save a lot of money getting whatever car you decide to get in the US. Do your research and get going man!!!

[sjd]

With the CDN dollar as strong as it is, you can save a lot of money getting whatever car you decide to get in the US. Do your research and get going man!!!

A Boxster S or older 911 from the U.S. makes sense. Should be under your 40K budget easily.

[smokinfire]

I am starting to refine the search a little:

I am coming off driving a fairly high power front wheel drive, and at the last PITL event, went for a ton of ride allongs trying to get a feel for other cars. I think it is time to switch to rear wheel drive for a variety of reasons, most of which include going faster.

The dream car is a Lotus Exige S.
If I get a sub 20,000 car now, I think I could get myself into a position to get a lotus in 5 years, give or take. So looking at spending more on a car now, and getting into car payments for a while, needs some justification by bringing a lot more car to the table that the lower priced options.


The 944 Turbo and S2 are looking really good now, closely followed by the RX-7

[Doug Vanderhaar]

My Son Brad has a Mazda 6 thats going to be for sale late next week. Its Black, very low miles, 6 speed, three sets of wheels and tires including snows <can`t make up his mind> sun roof, leather, just loaded in options.

He was at one Solo 1 event last year, Mosport International, big track.

Car is like new, I think its a 2005.

He is moving from Kitchener to Belleville this Friday so if you are in the Toronto area call him. Cell 519 503 3920.

At 9 pm he was traveling past Port Hope on his way to Kitchener.

If you want a good car don`t pass on this one.

[soloZ]

I have a 2005 SRT4 for sale 9000 miles on it motor stock
suspension is acr with mopar lowering springs amd full polly bushing kit
black no sunroof other mods borla exhaust and a hurst shifter
$18500 cert and e-tested car could be put back to stock but it just handles way too good this way

reason for selling I need the cash to keep racing my other SRT4

car is in Ajax you can call my cell 416 6883588


just a little highjack, was that you with the Orange SRT-4 at Shannonville? Nice looking car

[glh]

just a little highjack, was that you with the Orange SRT-4 at Shannonville? Nice looking car

Yes thank you that was the first real time on the track for that car

[bvanderhaar]

My father Doug doesnt really know my car that well. Its a 2004 Mazda 6, 5 speed manual fully loaded with every option including heated leather, power windows, locks, seats, roof, and mirror (heated too), completely stock except for the 18" Mazda speed 6 wheels. Car has 47,000MILES (US car). Also have extra set of 18" mazda wheels, and original 17" wheels. My fastest time at mosport grand prix track at solo 1 was 1:53. (its not a fast car)

Also just imported a rare 2005 Nissan Altima SE-R very rare, none on auto trader.ca This car is mint condition as well with 5000miles, two tone black and beige power heated leather seats, power windows, roof, locks, and mirrors. Car has factory 18" forged wheels.

I need to sell one of these cars as i cant afford to keep both.

Call if you are interested. my number is 613-849-7957 located in belleville.
or email, bvanderhaar@hotmail.com